[sixxchik]

No matter what I do or take (xanax), anxiety plagues me wherever I am. I have to talk myself down even when I go to Walmart. Most of the time, when I get close to checking out, I put everything for me back. Anything I like, food, magazines etc. Maybe I get "Walmart anxiety" because I know I should buy myself something but feel I dont deserve it. But then again, "it" follows me home like the old cartoon with the gray cloud of rain follows some character around.

[Leed]

I was like that for the longest time. I wanted something, but I felt I didn't deserve it, so I bought things ONLY for the rest of the family. And then I felt bad, because I really wanted whatever it was that I didn't get. And it really wasn't because we couldn't afford it -- I just felt I didn't deserve it, even though I worked my fanny off for the family.

But like you said -- when I'd get to the check-out, I'd get HIT with this awful anxiety to the point where I'd almost pass out!!! It would start to get dark, and I'd have to hang onto to the counter, for fear of fainting! It was just awful.

Then my husband said something to me -- he said to ask myself when this happened: "What's the WORST that could happen?" So I tried it when I went to the store again. I asked myself "What's the worst that could happen?" And I thought about it, and the worst would be that I'd faint, they'd call an ambulance, and I'd go to the hospital and they'd just find that I'd fainted. Big deal. What's so bad about that??? If THAT'S the worst that could happen, I can handle that!!! It would be a pain in the butt, but I can handle it. And maybe they'd give me something to stop the panic attacks too!

So the next time I went to the store, guess what? I did NOT have a panic attack!!! Who would have thought? All I had to do was think it thru, from start to finish -- and boom, no more panic attacks. I'm not saying I NEVER had anymore, but they were fewer and farther between!!! As long as I remembered that saying "What's the worst that could happen" it kept me from panicking.

Maybe it will help you too if you think it all the way through. God bless & please take care. Hugs, Lee

[NishQuiche92]

I've been there. Heck, sometimes I still am. I get anxiety over going to appointments, work, school, a friends house, etc...and once I get there I feel anxious for awhile before I settle down. I also put things back for myself...but typically in the back of my mind its because I know there is a better use for my money...if its something I really need, then yes I buy it...but when its just a snack, or a cute shirt, I have a hard time buying it and normally put it all back....simply because I know I should save my money. Is it because you feel you don't deserve it, or is there another underlying issue that you haven't explored yet? Does buying something ever make you feel guilty? Or maybe you feel overwhelmed by having new stuff and not sure if there is a place for it...no matter what, it is good to treat yourself sometimes, but not all the time...so take a look through your things and see what you NEED moreso rather than just want...so that way you might have an easier time buying it...example...you look through your closet and see you have a few pairs of jeans...but tons of shirts...and even though you might not NEED jeans per-say, you need them more than shirts, so you would put your focus on finding pants to buy instead.